“Why not?” said Bumpus, making room for the young man to sit beside Alice, on the grass.
“Because,” said Henry, “Gascoyne won’t agree to escape.”
“Not agree for to escape!”
“No. If the prison door were opened at this moment, he would not walk out.”
Bumpus became very grave, and shook his head. “Are ye sartin sure o’ this?” said he.
“Quite sure,” replied Henry, who now detailed part of his recent conversation with the pirate captain.
“Then it’s all up with him!” said Bumpus; “and the pirate will meet his doom, as I once hear’d a feller say in a play—though I little thought to see it acted in reality.”
“So he will,” added Dick Price.
Corrie’s countenance fell, and Alice grew pale. Even Poopy and Toozle looked a little depressed.
“No, it is not all up with him,” cried Henry Stuart, energetically. “I have a plan in my head which I think will succeed, but I must have assistance. It won’t do, however, to discuss this before our young friends. I must beg of Alice and Poopy to leave us. I do not mean to say I could not trust you, Alice, but the plan must be made known only to those who have to act in this matter. Rest assured, dear child, that I shall do my best to make it successful.”